High SchoolGraduation! You may remember that 4 years ago, we felt the Lord was putting it on our hearts to see if we could get a free public high school in Palomas. Eunice Herrerawas especially attentive to the Lord on this, and she arranged a meeting in Chihuahua where she and I met the lady from the public education system who could start it all. She promised us that she would do it, all she needed was the Mayor’s approval, which she thought would be easy. Fast forward a few months, and we learned there was huge opposition to this in the Mayor’s office because many on his team were teachers at the Private high school in Palomas. I was actually threatened with arrest in the midst of this. Fast forward a few more months, and through the prayers of the Saints, the Mayor had a big change of heart, despite opposition from his team. He started backing the school!

While our danger is nothing like the dangers Paul faced, we can be encouraged by his response!

2 Cor 1:9-11 But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead. 10 He has delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us. On him we have set our hope that he will continue to deliver us. 11 as you help us by your prayers.

Ifyou don’t think your prayers help, think again! They are very important in all that we do! Who knows how many dangers might have harmed this ministry BUT FOR YOUR PRAYERS?!

So, 3 years ago, the school started, and now we have our first girls from Casa graduating from there! What an awesome accomplishment!

We have been able to get all of them Mexican Passports, and now we are waiting to see what God does next in their lives!

It has been an amazing thing to us as we learn more and more about the psychology of orphans. Imagine if you were suddenly picked up by a state agency when you were a little girl. How scary and traumatic! Then, you are placed in an institution with anywhere from 50 to 200 other kids. You are treated more as a member of a school class than as a family member. And, you are told, when you are 18, then you will be released, and FINALLY you will have your freedom and your opportunity to live life the way YOU want. So what happens? You never really learn the responsibilities that are associated with the freedom that comes at age 18. You are not ready to be responsible for your actions. All you see is your freedom coming up!

What we have found, is that almost all of our girls, upon reaching age 18, simply cannot handle the freedom and responsibility. So, they immediately begin making bad choices, often choices that will harm them or make life more difficult for many years to come–choices about not continuing education. Choices about their relationships with boys. Choices about following the attractions of the world!

In Hebrews 11: 25, we are told that sin is pleasurable for a season, and James 1:14 tells us that we are often tempted when we are lured and enticed by our own desire, and Ephesians 2:1-3 tells us that when we follow the course of the world, we are dead in our trespasses. And so, all of these challenges hit them full force when they turn 18 and they are suddenly free. Then, they will spend the next weeks or months, or years, learning the reality of reaping what you sow and the harm that you can cause to yourself in just a very short time.

So, please keep these 4 girls, and indeed all of our girls in your prayers! It is so hard to keep them on the right path!